Smaller 165/180mm lenses?

[Wayne Crider]

I'm researching something in 165 to 180mm for use on my 3x4 Auto Graflex. I'm going to front mount it so I won't have to worry about fitting the lens in the recessed front standard. A more modern coated optic is wanted over the uncoated B&L I have now. I know the Fuji 180 at F9 is smaller, I'm just wondering what else is available.

[aduncanson]

You might look for a 165mm/6.3 Caltar, a tessar design lens normally mounted in a Seikosha M/X shutter.

[mrladewig]

There is also the Nikkor 200M just outside your range, but very small. Then on the slightly shorter end, there are several tiny 150 lenses like the Fuji.

[IanG]

The 165mm f6.3 Tessar was one of the best Tessars ever made by Zeiss, overall they are sharper than the faster Tessar's. Unfortunately they weren't coated, but my pre-WWI (1913) has far better contrast than many later un-coated lenses, probably because there's less glass :D

If the 165mm Caltar is similar but coated it would be a superb lens, small, light and good contrast.

Ian

[Lynn Jones]

I have personal experience with the Ilex/Caltar 165 f6.3. They don't come any sharper or more contrasty, I don't care who makes it. The Seikosha Rapid shutter is also the most trouble free of all the btl shutters.

Lynn